Update 2: Libyan arrested for cruelty to birds, another escapes
200 canaries found hidden in his luggage
A Libyan man has been arrested at the airport while trying to export some 200 canaries. Another abandoned his luggage and managed to run out of the airport.
The birds were found hidden in luggage. They had been sedated using lighter gas, but many of them were dead.
The discovery was made when suspicion was aroused during check-in before a flight to Tripoli. Officers from the Animal Welfare Department were immediately called to the scene.
A similar discovery was made last week when canaries were found hidden in a Libyan man's jacket and in his bag as he tried to smuggle them out on a flight to Tripoli.
The Director of the Animal Welfare Department, Mario Spiteri, said the arrested Libyan would be accused of animal cruelty.
It was quite clear, he said, that there was a racket of bird exports, with canaries fetching a good price in Libya. Canaries were not protected birds, he said, and they could be legally bought in Malta and exported, but procedures had to be followed for the proper care of the birds.
What was happening, he said, was that Libyan men were ordering and buying canaries in bulk from pet shops in Malta and then trying to export them. There was no regard to the welfare of the birds, which were hidden in luggage, jackets, pockets and socks. Many of them died.
MORE BIRDS FOUND
Informed sources said another 60 birds were found at the airport this afternoon. They were in a black bag along with other items including peas. Some of the birds were dead.
The surviving birds from the two consignments are to be cared for an Ghammieri government farm.
14 Comments
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steve compagno
Nov 27th 2009, 13:56
Ok fine...he was charged for cruelty and RIGHTLY SO. What he did was unacceptable and cruel. But then again....check out this article - the one where a man who killed a pit bull was not charged with cruelty ...we aren't we using the same yardstick for the same type of cruelty? Please help me - I'm really perplexed on this one!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091126/local/man-who-killed-pit-bull-not-charged-with-animal-cruelty
peter azzopardi
Nov 26th 2009, 23:01
Well done to Animal Welfare Department and MIA Security. Full praise go to both of you. I travel on a monthly basis to Libya. The Libyans do not want to export legally and in cages. Ths as they do not want to make the Libyan authorities aware that they are importing birds into LIbya. This to evade checks not to mention expenses. That is the reason why the birds are transported the way they are.
Well done to the Maltese Authorities at the MIA.
Cussons Carmel
Nov 26th 2009, 22:55
Well done to Airport Security and Animal Welfare Department. It put my mind at rest that such cruelty is being reported and finally action is being taken...at last!!! I heard that in the past, such passengers were simply sent back into liberty with the birds stil traumatised!!! The same passengers used to try to export the same birds again and again until they manage. It is s good thing that the Animal Welfare are working with the MIA authorities and setting an end to such cruelty.
Keep up the good work and I hope that the runaway person gets the same treatment the birds got.
Something should be done to avoid such cruelty.
N Abela
Nov 26th 2009, 16:16
@ L Coleiro - Well said..what now Imam huh ?
Ian Xuereb
Nov 26th 2009, 13:28
Jiena ma nafx ghalfejn ma jithallewx johorgu ghasafar b'mod LEGALI min pajjizna. Dawn in-nies(Libjani) li jkunu jridu jixtru Kanarini min Malta sabiex jehduhom u jbiehuhom il-Libja messa ssir xi haga u natuhom permess li jkunu jistghu johorguhom LEGALMENT. Dan huwa tip iehor ta kummerc. Igawdi il-gvern, min jibbridja l-ghasafar, tal-petshops u anki l-airmalta.Basta kollox isir LEGALMENT. Nahseb li huwa suggeriment ta min jomoghodu sew.
P Pace Balzan
Nov 26th 2009, 12:43
A racket of bird exports!!!!!!
This should be considered a business opportunity and proper export cages should be used.
The only things that should be introduced are regulations so as to avoid undue cruelty to birds.
The birds in the clip appear/ed to be fine.
Instead of an export opportunity we now have : arrests / fines etc...
George Abela
Nov 25th 2009, 21:54
Well done to Airport Security Staff and Animal Welfare Department. Two reported incidents in a week....... good teamwork guys. Keep up the good work!!!!
Oscar Cassar
Nov 25th 2009, 20:26
What will now happen to the birds?
Edward Camilleri
Nov 25th 2009, 19:08
agree with L. Coleiro. What is happening in this country? It was reported last week that Airport officials are encountering such criminals twice weekly. And what for? Many of the birds are killed by the gas or suffocation. Do the same thing to these mad criminals.
L.Coleiro
Nov 25th 2009, 16:17
"They had been sedated using lighter gas, but many of them were dead."
Question to the Imam - what should we do with this guy? give him the gas chamber?
Claire Busuttil
Nov 25th 2009, 16:10
Good job, to animal welfare, and airport security!!
ABORG
Nov 25th 2009, 16:10
Poor birds!! i hope this Libyan receives harsh penalty for cruelty multiplied by 200 times!
Kenneth Cassar
Nov 25th 2009, 15:45
I have nothing to add to what Franco said, except that I hope the other trafficker is identified and arrested too.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 25th 2009, 14:41
Well done to Dr Mario Spiteri - that's the spirit! What he said is correct. I sincerely hope it won't stop there but that the Libyan will also tell from where he got these birds. Just because they are not protected species, it does not follow that they have to badly treated! Truly, well done!
It is also about time that spot-checks are made at the various pet-shops we have in Malta, and monitor how animals are being kept. I keep getting information that every Tom, Dick and Harry is now turning his place into a pet-shop, to the detriment of animal-welfare. Please, check these outlets and see how the animals are being kept, in what conditions they are and what is being done to protect them when premises are closed!